No Bulldogs charged over rape allegations

Six Bulldogs rugby league players will not be charged over allegations they gang raped a woman at a Coffs Harbour resort.

NSW police investigating the alleged sexual assault of the woman on February 22 today announced they would not lay charges against any players.

The decision came after the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Nicholas Cowdery, QC, formally notified the specially formed Strike Force McGuigon detectives that he believed there was insufficient evidence to prosecute.

Strike force boss Jason Breton said he spoke with the 20-year-old woman and her family this afternoon and advised her of the decision not to lay charges.

"The advice from the DPP has assisted us in making the decision that no charges will be laid against any player or official from the Bulldogs Rugby League Club," Detective Chief Inspector Breton told reporters.

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"The decision not to charge in this instance should not be seen as a deterrent for any person to come forward to police if they are the victim of a serious sexual assault or other crime."

The Coffs Harbour woman claimed six players pack raped her at the Pacific Bay Resort after a pre-season match in February.

Players gave statements and DNA samples to police as part of the investigations which culminated in a brief of evidence being given to the DPP for examination on April 1.

Former Bulldogs chief executive Steve Mortimer and football manager Garry Hughes have been casualties of the allegations, with the former resigning and Hughes being sacked.